New Buffalo Business Association

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New Buffalo Farmers Market 2020 Vendor Updates

Greetings Farmers Market Vendors!

I am Abby Voss, the Vice President & Co-chair of Events for the Board of the New Buffalo Business Association, proprietors of The New Buffalo Farmer Market.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Buffalo Farmers Market will transition to a Friday morning Pick-Up Only drive-thru experience. Attached you will find the new NBFM Rules & Regulations and COVID Safety guidelines.

We are preparing for a June 19th start date and the NBBA board is experienced in setting up Square online store and are here to assist in the process in any way we can before that date. Please let us know you are still interested by filling out an updated application and returning it to this email address and we will move forward by making sure your are set up for online ordering.

Farmers Market Application:  2020 NB Farmers Market Application_COVID

Thank you for your understanding through this transition & we look forward to working together,

Abby Voss & Audrey Tuszynski
Co-chairs of the Events Committee
New Buffalo Business Association

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New Buffalo Business Association Announces Spring & Summer Event Updates

July 3rd Independence Day Celebrations Cancelled;
New Buffalo Farmer’s Market Moves Ahead

Virtually NEW BUFFALO, MI- On April 20th, at the New Buffalo City Council virtual meeting at 6:30 pm, the City Council approved the New Buffalo Business Association addendum to their special events applications, including the cancellation of July 3rd Independence Day celebrations, spring sidewalk sales and the transition of the New Buffalo Farmer’s Market into a virtual market  experience.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Buffalo Business Association amended the plan for the Spring/Summer 2020 event season in accordance with the governor’s orders & safety concerns in mind. The May 23-25 Spring Sidewalk Sales are cancelled and the New Buffalo Farmer’s Market is postponed until the beginning of July. The Farmer’s Market will evolve into a virtual platform organized by the NBBA, continuing to create relationships between farmers and the community. The July 3rd celebrations including the LaPorte Symphony Orchestra will also be cancelled and moving fireworks to the Ship & Shore Festival pending social gathering restrictions.

“With so much impact of COVID-19 on special events, we know there must be questions and concerns around insurance for businesses, events, and future projects,” said Audrey Tuszynski, Secretary & Co-Chair of NBBA Events Committee. “We will continue to assess how we can hold virtual/no-contact events for the surrounding community without compromising their safety, for the remainder of the social distancing season.”

The New Buffalo Business Association is a partnership of business and community members who share a common goal to promote healthy business growth in our communities through activities and events.

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Request for Proposals for Local Business Disaster Relief

Release Date: April 10 2020
Request Deadline: April 20 2020

Background

The New Buffalo Business Association (NBBA) is the business membership organization for the New Buffalo area. The NBBA’s been in existence for over 30 years and considered a pivotal piece of connecting the community and businesses together. The NBBA is also charged with organizing and executing a series of large events.

Mission Statement:
“The NBBA is a partnership of businesses and community members who share a common goal to promote healthy business growth through activities and events.”

Today’s Challenge

The NBBA is a unique organization located in a highly visited and loved beach community of Southwest Michigan.  The local economy is heavily reliant on the tourism industry, with the majority of our businesses catering to locals and visitors. The recent COVID-19 crisis placed businesses in the larger region in peril. Fortunately, the state and federal governments passed a series of bills to assist small business owners with loans, grants and funding – all geared to keeping small businesses afloat.

Like many Main Streets businesses, the bulk of the businesses in this region are what one may call ‘mom and pop’, independently run restaurants, cafes, services providers and more. These businesses, along with their workers, are at risk of not existing.

There are also a series of free resources (webinars, live chats etc.) that business owners can utilize however, we are finding that business owners need specific questions answered. Unique situations and availability of business owners calls for a person/group to have the ability to respond 1:1.

The Ask

We are specifically looking for businesses and consultants who are able to provide services immediately through June 30, 2020.

The NBBA is seeking a resource to serve as a conduit between area businesses and the various types of loans, grants and assistance programs that have been made and may be made available during the COVID-19 crisis. This resource can be an individual and/or a small firm, as we understand one person may need a team to assist with the 1:1 questions from business owners.

This person will serve as an expert on not only state laws and regulations, but be considered a pinch hitter to area small business owners who need more clarification in and around the plans released by the federal government, the State of Michigan and other area organizations.

Expectations

  • Work side by side along the New Buffalo Business Association board members, to direct those member businesses requests for guidance.
  • Aid businesses in filing disaster loan applications, Payroll protection programs, insurance navigation, mortgage relief assistance, economical loss estimations, business preparedness and more
  • Help prevent indefinite closures, once non-essential ban is lifted
  • Participate in weekly webinars with small business owners who are seek information and clarification
  • Potentially enable 1:1 consultations with business owners who seek more in-depth direction for assistance

Requirements

  • Previous experience in guiding small development in grant and loan applications.
  • A history of providing resources for employers/employees regarding financial or debt relief programs.
  • A working knowledge of business consultation, particularly with assisting small businesses with disaster preparedness and recovery.
  • Familiarity of Michigan small business resources, specifically from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • Specific knowledge of Berrien County businesses a plus

Time Frame

Applications will be accepted beginning April 10 through April 20.

Format For Responses

Please click here to submit your proposal.

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January 2020 Member Newsletter

Season’s Greetings Everyone!

We hope your Holidays were filled with great health and happiness!

We are very excited for this year. We have lots of important announcements and updates.

Please note that our email address has been updated to: info@newbuffalo.org.

All previously listed email addresses will get forwarded to the new address.

2020 NBBA Board Members – Officers Vote is this Month

Toni Morris
Dawn Fadden
Audrey Tuszynski
Blagica Bottigliero
Traci Lauricella
Abby Voss
Lisa Werner

Committees: Communications – Events – Membership

*Please let us know if you’re interested in assisting with any of our Committees, or Volunteering for any of our Events!

2020 NBBA Ex-Officio Board Members – Non-Voting

Emma Brewster
Judy Zabicki
Mark Kroll
Dee Dee Duhn
Lisa Gawron
Katie Maroney

Don’t Forget to Renew Your Membership!

Look for an email reminder with a link to pay via Quickbooks, thank you!

New NBBA Website, Member Video Features, & Social Media Sharing

Our New Website will be unveiled this Month. There are many new features and updates, including an Events Calendar and Interactive Map.
We are also working on Member Video Highlights, and sharing your updates via our Social Media Channels each month, all great perks to being Members!

Waterfront Master Plan Public Input and Design Charette #2

Date: Wednesday, January 8th, 2020
Time: 6:30pm-8:00 pm
Place: New Buffalo High School Cafeteria

Give-Back Dinner this Week

When: Thursday, Janurary 9th, 2020 5pm-10pm
Where: Bentwood Tavern
Marina Grand Resort – New Buffalo, MI
50% of all food and beverage revenue will be donated to the Friends of Harbor Country Trails

Make Your Reservation

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Reminder: NBBA Annual Meeting December 5, 2019

NBBA Members! Don’t forget to register for the Annual Meeting.

Thursday, December 5
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Marina Grand Resort, Ashby Room

Enjoy light appetizers and beverages (cash bar).

This event is for NBBA Members only. Please RSVP at the link below. See you then! Don’t forget to bring your business cards to get a chance to win some prizes!

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NBBA Annual Meeting December 5, 2019

Dear NBBA Members,

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time for all of our Members to gather for some Holiday Cheer!

You are cordially invited to the NBBA Annual Meeting to hear about the highlights of 2019 and the great things to come in 2020. This has been a pivotal year for the NBBA as the Board has expanded partnerships to produce our events that help drive traffic to New Buffalo.

When: Thursday, Dec. 5, 5:30-7:30 pm
Where: Marina Grand Resort, Ashby Room
600 West Water Street, New Buffalo

Thank you to Marina Grand and their Team for being our gracious hosts.
Join us in the Ashby Room for some Hor d’Oeuvres and Beverages (Cash Bar) from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

We will have a brief NBBA Presentation, Board Member Vote, Member Announcements, and Gift Basket Drawings. (Please bring your Business Cards to enter, must be present to win).

This event is only open to our Members, please RSVP below. We look forward to seeing you there!

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November 2019 Member Newsletter

Mesa Luna Give Back Dinner Sunday Nov. 10th

Our friends at Mesa Luna are again offering a generous give back to the NBBA and will donate 50% of your dinner cost back to the NBBA. The event is Sunday, Nov. 10th from 5 – 9 p.m., bar opens at 4. Enjoy amazing food while supporting the NBBA, it’s a win-win!

Small Business Saturday Campaign

Hurry – sign-up NOW for unique opportunity 11/8 and 11/11!
As part of our Small Business Saturday promotion, the NBBA is offering a unique marketing opportunity to our members. Blagica Bottigliero, NBBA Board Member and social marketing pro, will visit your store, chat with you about your products, take photos and notes to use in social media posts leading up to Small Business Saturday. We want to showcase the many unique and wonderful gift options to be found in our local businesses. If you are interested, please email Blagica at blagica@zlato.co . She will be able to visit businesses Friday, Nov. 8, 1:30 -5:30 p.m., and Monday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., so sign up now! If you are interested or have questions, please send Blagica an email.

NBBA Co-Hosts Progressive Mixer

Hurry up and register before it’s full!! The NBBA and Harbor Country Chamber are co-hosting a progressive mixer in New Buffalo. HCCC has done some exciting progressive mixers over the past couple of years in both Three Oaks and Bridgman. Don’t miss the New Buffalo installment. Check in at The Villager and continue on to The Hidden Gem, Customs Imports/New Buffalo Times, and Caseys New Buffalo.

Our friends at HCCC are handling the reservations, so please RSVP here .

Thank You Harvest & Wine Fest Sponsors!

We want to thank our generous sponsors for making the 2019 New Buffalo Harvest & Wine Fest a great success. Thanks to all who came out to try our excellent regional wines, ciders and beers. We’ll see you next year!

New Buffalo Township Markets Unique Development Opportunity

New Buffalo Township is marketing a large development parcel strategically located at the intersection of two rail lines and Interstate 94, making this a particularly unique setting with incredible transportation access. Click image above for brochure and visit the Cornerstone website listing .

MDOT Open House on US 12 “Road Diet”

The Michigan Department of Transportation is hosting an open house to share concepts for a proposed four-to-three-lane reduction, or “road diet,” to accompany a planned 2021 resurfacing project on US-12 from the Michigan/Indiana state line to Red Arrow Highway in New Buffalo. The Open House is Wednesday, Nov. 6, 4:30-6:30 at New Buffalo High School, 1112 E Clay St.

YMCA Plans for Old St. Mary’s School

It’s now official! The YMCA of Southwest Michigan is launching programming at the old St. Mary’s School and expanding daycare and other programs in the area. Click the YMCA logo above to link to the article, and don’t miss the Grand Opening on November 12th, 2:30-4:30!

Your Input To Help Plan Future of Waterfront

The City of New Buffalo is in the process of developing a Waterfront Master Plan which will guide the redevelopment of the City Beach, Boat Launch, and Lion’s Pavilion Park areas . Your opinion is a valuable part of this process. Please take 8-10 minutes to complete the following survey.

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Save The Date! Whittaker Winter Wonderland 2019!

The New Buffalo Business Association Presents Whittaker Winter Wonderland 2019 on Saturday, November 30!

Kick off the holidays New Buffalo style with Santa at Rosie’s and Dooley’s, ginger bread houses, great arts and crafts and more at Elsie Earl, tree lighting with Mrs. Claus and Santa at the Transient Marina ( Whittaker & Water), karaoke at Dooleys, and more! If you are interested in the Ginger Bread House class, call Jackie’s Cafe, 269-469-1800. Santa looks forward to seeing you in New Buffalo!

Thank you to our lead sponsor, Jackie’s Cafe!

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2019 Holiday Events in New Buffalo

Kick off the holidays New Buffalo Style on Saturday, Nov 30th with Santa visits, Shop Small Saturday specials, gingerbread decorating, tree lighting and more presented by the NBBA. 

Poster

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 SCHEDULE:

9 am – 12 pm: Rosie’s for breakfast with Santa, Arts & Crafts with Little Court

10:30 am – 3 pm: Elsie Earl Studios for arts & crafts, scavenger hunt and more

12 pm – 2 pm: Casey’s for Give-back lunch for Meals on Wheels

2 pm – 4 pm: Jackie’s Cafe for Ginger Bread house decorating class, must call 269-469-1800 to register.

4 pm – 6 pm: Dooley’s for pizza and drink specials, Fill the Sleigh with Santa and Teen/Jr. Teen Court

6:30 pm – 7 pm: Transient Marina (Whittaker/Water) for Mrs. Claus & Santa lighting tree, caroling with NBAS Choir. Hot Cocoa and Cookies provided by David’s Deli.

7 – 10 pm: Dooley’s, Karaoke with Queens, Ugly Sweater contest, s’mores and more.

The New Buffalo Holiday Events are pro bono community events organized and managed by the NBBA, businesses, and volunteers in our area. Donations or sponsorships support these events. Thanks to our sponsors, participating businesses and the public for supporting these events and for Shopping Local!

Call 888-660-6222 or join the New Buffalo Business Association online!